What is the significance of above and below the loins?
Rashi: It is forbidden to contemplate this verse (refer to 1:27:1:1 and the note there).
What is the difference between this vision and his first vision?
Malbim: (a) The first time, he saw Chayos, then Ofanim, then the Kisei, and afterwards Chashmal. Now he saw them in reverse order. (b) Now, he saw the interior of the Chashmal; initially, he saw only the house around it, like I explained above (refer to 1:27:4:2). This is like "v'Hinei Mal'achei Elokim Olim v'Yoredim Bo" (Bereishis 28:12). First they ascend on steps of the ladder from below to above - from later to earlier. Afterwards they descend in their understanding from earlier to later.
Above (1:27) it says Chashmal. Why does it say here Chashmalah?
Radak: The Hei is extra. This is why it is mil'Eil (the penultimate syllable is accented).
